Colossians 3:2 Explained: Why Your Thoughts Don’t Have to Define You

365 Mental Health Devotional Challenge: Day 14

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 Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Mental Health Insight – Do you ever want to change your thinking to reflect something more positive? Cognitive defusion is a tool you can use to help create distance from unhelpful thoughts. Cognitive defusion helps you not get stuck in your thoughts, and creates distance from the thoughts in order to combat anxiety, depression, and negative beliefs. For example, instead of saying “I am overwhelmed,” you say, “I am noticing that I’m having the thought that I’m overwhelmed.”. This process helps separate oneself from the thought in order to observe the thought outside of oneself, preventing the thought from consuming us.

Faith Connection – Of course we cannot stop having negative thoughts. However, you do not have to become your anxious thoughts. Cognitive diffusion is a tool we can use to separate us from the anxiety of our thoughts, rather than be consumed. By practicing this tool we learn how to separate ourselves from the anxiety of this world and set our minds to the things above.  When we focus our identity on Christ, we allow His truths, not temporary feelings to define our reality.

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Reflection Question: If you stopped “being” your anxious thoughts and started simply “observing” them from God’s perspective, how much power would those thoughts lose over your day?

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Prayer: Dear God, thank You that my identity is found in You and not in my fleeting thoughts. Help me to set my mind on things above today, separating my heart from earthly worries. I choose to let Your love define me, trusting that You are holding me through every storm. Amen.

Further Resources

Many of you have been asking for further resources that could potentially benefit you on your mental health journey. Below I have attached a book you might find beneficial surrounding this topic!

I Shouldn’t Feel This Way: Name What’s Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage into Brave Action Dr. Alison Cook 

Description: Dr. Cook’s latest book addresses the “shame spiral” that often comes with negative thoughts. She provides a practical 3-step process to “defuse” from the toxic “shoulds” we tell ourselves. By naming what is hard and framing your reality through God’s truth, you learn to observe your feelings without letting them define your identity. It’s a powerful resource for anyone trying to apply Colossians 3:2 to their emotional life, moving from earthly “feeling-driven” reality to a Christ-centered perspective.

Want to stop waiting for shipping? 🚀 You can actually start reading the many book recommendations on this blog for FREE in the next 60 seconds. Grab a [Free 30-Day Kindle Unlimited Trial here] to unlock this title and thousands of other mental health tools, instantly on your phone or tablet. (Note: Kindle Unlimited selection varies over time; check the product page for current eligibility.)

You have completed Day 14 out of 365 Days of our 2026 Mental Health Devotional Challenge. A full two weeks! What a great job. How are your New Year Resolutions coming along? Let us know your goals for 2026 in the comments below! I am so proud to be apart of this new year journey with you. 

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I hope you all have the best and most blessed day!

Sierra Stratman MSW LMSW U/S PhD Student at Liberty University

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), but I am not your therapist. The information provided in this blog post, including book recommendations and mental health insights, is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute a therapist-client relationship, nor is it intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.